Yoga > Practical
Yoga
The general meaning of yoga is broad, it covers all positive and
life sustaining activities, yoga is the action following of the desire for peace
and harmony of all and experiencing it happen.
Yoga
at a personal level may be It is our want and desire for
unity can be described as a type of yoga and is found in all our
lives and is an integral part of our human nature , acts of compassion, kindness, mending, healing, improving and
performing any action for human sustainability and betterment. This
however excludes the ill though out plans of many who's actions
cause harm to any, (these are often powered by greed for wealth
and/or power).
In the practice of asana, the exercises are primarily physical in
that systematic exercises are done to tone, strengthen musculature,
align the skeleton and optimize functions and relationships
between all the elements of body, mind, spirit and community ( a
common unity).
Pranayama which is generally practiced as a part of
hatha yoga tones and optimizes the lungs and internal organs and
develops the ability to concentrate.
Meditation begins with concentration and when the
awareness of "I Am" has been transcended, a state of meditation has
been achieved.
How to study:
Guidance from a a teacher produces best results as practitioners
receive
There are a great many books, taped talks, video/dvd tutorials,
however and reduces
mistakes which if not corrected can be detrimental to health.
Validation of practice:
The results of valid practice are the improved health and well being
of one's self and community.
How to ensure your practice is valid:
Yoga has an extensive ethical basis, which
is the same in meaning as the ten commandments of the Christian
bible, the ethics of yoga lay out the principals on which to conduct
activities and creating a life of peace.
Unfortunately modern life is not peaceful, and yoga
has become a popular tool for relaxation, stress release, improving
fitness and health, while being gentle and enjoyable for people of
all ages and states of health.
Positive outcomes:
Improved health and fitness, greater ease in life, more opportunity
for genuine peace, joy and pleasure, improvement of the senses
insight into one's self, body, mind and spirit, self
acceptance, knowledge and appreciation to arrive at a point self
realization and the freedom to determine one's own future while
being an honest citizen.
The best results occur in quiet and peaceful
locations, and when the desire to know and understand the content of
our being is strong, intense yoga practice can be introspective and
time is often required when making life changes.
Following, and
inclusive of Yama and Niyama, is the practice of Asana, or
what is generally thought of as Hatha Yoga. This practice
of physical exercises, tones and conditions the physical body,
strengthens the nervous system and begins to develop an awareness
of our subtle energy body. The 'stretches' work on the
meridians as referred to in acupuncture. So we have a
process providing basic health and fitness which can also be used
as a nature cure.
Then comes Pranayama;
the art of the breath. This builds on the preceding practices,
deepening awareness and invoking different states of mind. It
also, when practiced correctly, refines and strengthens the
nervous system.
Pratyahara; the
art of the withdrawal of consciousness from the phenomenal world.
This is in preparation for meditation and completes the outer
phase of the practice of yoga.
Following are
the inner stages. Single pointed concentration. Meditation where
there is no distinction between the mediator and the object of
meditation. Meditations on form and no form.
Then comes the
stages of Samahdi.
These I describe as: Samahdi.; where one exits the body into the
void and to various superconscious realms, and the Samahdi. where one connects
with the energy principal and unites all polarities within the one.
Based on experience, observation and testimony and unity,
community and study of Sutra
